TL;DR
The government and Information Commissioner's Office have announced tough new measures to tackle nuisance calls and texts, including stronger enforcement powers and increased fines for persistent offenders. The measures target firms that generate unsolicited marketing calls, particularly those targeting vulnerable and elderly people.
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Sources: ICO, GOV.UK
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Consumer Rights Nuisance Calls Crackdown ICO fine maximum: £500,000 per breachTelephone Preference Service: free opt-out registerReport nuisance calls: ICO 0303 123 1113Cold call ban: pensions since 2019, claims since 2022Regulator: ICO |
What the new measures involve
The Information Commissioner's Office has announced strengthened enforcement measures targeting companies that generate unsolicited marketing calls and texts in breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003. The measures include increased fines, faster enforcement action and improved coordination with Ofcom and trading standards to identify and penalise the most persistent offenders.
The announcement follows a sustained period of public complaints about nuisance calls, particularly those targeting older people with offers relating to financial products, insurance, pension reviews, and home improvement schemes. The ICO receives hundreds of thousands of nuisance call reports annually.
What the law says about unsolicited calls
Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, companies must not make unsolicited marketing calls to numbers registered with the Telephone Preference Service, and must not make automated marketing calls without the recipient's prior consent. Specific bans also apply to cold calling about pensions (since January 2019) and claims management services (since April 2022).
Breaches carry fines of up to £500,000 per incident. The ICO has issued significant fines against companies making nuisance calls, though enforcement against the most persistent offenders who operate through shell companies or overseas has been challenging.
How to protect yourself from nuisance calls
Register your number with the Telephone Preference Service at tpsonline.org.uk. The TPS is a free service and registration means companies are legally prohibited from calling your number for marketing purposes without your consent. It does not prevent all unsolicited calls — fraudsters and overseas callers do not comply — but it is effective against legitimate UK-based marketing firms.
Never engage with unsolicited calls about pensions, insurance reviews, claims, or investment opportunities. Do not confirm personal information, account details or financial information to any unsolicited caller regardless of how official they appear. Legitimate regulated firms do not cold call about pensions or financial products.
What to do if you receive nuisance calls
Report unsolicited marketing calls to the ICO via report.number.ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113. Reporting helps the ICO identify patterns of behaviour and target enforcement action against the most prolific offenders. You can also report scam calls to Action Fraud if you believe a criminal offence has been committed.
Mobile network providers including BT, EE, O2 and Vodafone offer call blocking services that can reduce the volume of nuisance calls received. Some services are free; others carry a charge. Ask your provider what options are available on your tariff.
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Disclaimer This article is for information only and does not constitute regulated financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is an independent editorial publisher and is not regulated by the FCA. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Telephone Preference Service?
The TPS is a free opt-out register maintained by the Direct Marketing Association. Registering your number means companies subject to UK marketing law cannot call you for marketing purposes without your prior consent. Register at tpsonline.org.uk or by calling 0345 070 0707. Registration takes up to 28 days to take effect.
Can I fine a company for calling me after I have registered with TPS?
You cannot personally fine a company, but you can report the breach to the ICO which has the power to investigate and fine the firm. Provide the date and time of the call, the number that called and the company name if known when making the report.
Are pension cold calls illegal?
Yes. Cold calling about pensions has been illegal since January 2019 under the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018. Any cold call about your pension, regardless of who the caller claims to be, should be treated as a scam and reported to the FCA and ICO.
What can I do about scam calls from overseas numbers?
Overseas callers do not comply with UK registration requirements. Report the number to Action Fraud and to your mobile or landline provider. Major providers have call blocking facilities. The ICO works with international counterparts where possible but enforcement against overseas nuisance callers is difficult.
Is there a free service to block nuisance calls?
BT offers an 8572 service that blocks anonymous calls. Truecall and similar third-party services offer call blocking devices. Most smartphones have built-in call blocking features. Contact your phone provider for what is available on your specific plan.
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Sources ICO: Nuisance Calls Action |
